Rolex Explorer vs. Rolex Submariner

Rolex Explorer or Rolex Submariner?

1953 was an important year for Rolex and two of its most beloved tool watches. That year, the brand introduced both the Submariner and the Explorer. With each model, Rolex focused on both form and function. When looking at the Rolex Explorer vs. Submariner, many consider the Submariner more rugged with its rotating ceramic bezel and the Explorer more stylish with its classic design. At the end of the day, the Explorer and the Submariner are two iconic Rolex watches. Learn more about these two recognizable models with a comparison from Crown & Caliber.

Key Features of the Rolex Explorer

When the Explorer launched in 1953, Rolex immediately put its capabilities to the test. The brand sponsored an expedition to Mount Everest. It sent Sir Edmund Hilary and Tenzing Norgay to the summit with an Oyster Perpetual. The watch didn’t bear the Explorer name at the time. However, it was one of the first watches to reach Everest’s peak and served as inspiration for the Explorer collection.

The first official watch inscribed with the Explorer name was the Reference 6350, which Rolex modeled after the Bubbleback. The model underwent several design iterations during its first decade, but, in 1963, Rolex released the Reference 1016. Most notably, it featured a more flattened caseback and highly legible, black dial, optimized for low-light conditions. In addition, it boasted a stainless steel construction and a fixed bezel. This important variation of the Explorer remained in production for an impressive 26 years. When Rolex discontinued the Reference 1016, a new era began for the Explorer collection. They launched the Explorer II in 1971 with the Reference 1655.

Key Features of the Rolex Submariner

Rolex also put the Submariner to the test shortly after they debuted the collection with the Reference 6204. They sent the model to the deepest depths of the ocean along with Auguste Piccard. He attached the watch to his submarine’s hull and descended 3100 meters into the sea. When he resurfaced, the Submariner was still in working condition.

The Submariner has remained largely unchanged since its initial release. Models feature a water resistant Oyster case and a unidirectional rotating bezel. However, like the Explorer, the Submariner received one of its trademark aesthetic updates several years after it first launched. In 1959, Rolex debuted the Reference 5512, which standardized the model’s oversized crown and crown guards. Still, it wasn’t until the next decade that the Submariner solidified its place as more than a diver’s tool. In the late 1960s, Rolex introduced the Reference 1680. Most notably, this model featured the option for a date function with a Cyclops lens. This helped to diversify the collection. Later, in 1970, Rolex gave the collection another upgrade. That year, their patented Triplock winding crown came standard to further enhance the model’s water resistance.

Explorer II vs Submariner

The early 1970s marked a change for the Explorer with the introduction of the Explorer II. The most notable updates were functional. The Explorer II offers enhanced legibility in low light. It comes equipped with a fourth hand and 24-hour bezel. This additional hand is typically orange or red and has since become a trademark of the Explorer II. However, the Explorer II also showcases some aesthetic changes that take the model in a sportier direction. This was a bold move for Rolex, as it was an extreme departure from the original Explorer. As a result, the Explorer collection became more distinguished from the Submariner. 

Comparing the Explorer II vs. Submariner is more distinct than comparing the Rolex Explorer vs. Submariner. The Explorer II features a more modern, oversized build. Everything about the model is bigger and bolder, from the larger case to the lugs and hour markers. In addition, it showcases a newly designed dial. Together, these updates give the model a more rugged and practical appearance as well as enhanced utility. While the Submariner is a capable dive watch, it features a more classic and understated design. The model’s simple, clean lines make it more versatile. The Submariner can easily go from a day at the office to a vacation at the beach.

Choosing Between the Rolex Explorer vs. Submariner

Today, the Explorer and the Submariner continue to be two of Rolex’s most instantly recognizable models. Both watches combine the durability and functionality of a tool watch with a unique design. Each has been time-tested through strenuous conditions and everyday wear. When choosing between the Rolex Explorer vs. Submariner, it’s hard to pick a favorite.